Happy New Year, dear friends! We eagerly anticipated 2021, hoping that it would be a year of positivity and progress, an improvement from the turbulence and trials of 2020. However, just as we commenced last year unaware of what it held, we now find ourselves in a similar position of uncertainty, unsure of what 2021 will bring. This year may indeed be filled with breakthroughs and restorations, and may even be the year our dreams come to fruition, filling us with hope and inspiration. Yet, it could also be a year of familiarity, with more zoom meetings and quarantines, as we continue to navigate the ongoing pandemic. One thing I have learned is that I am not in control, and with this lack of control comes a lot of apprehension and ambiguity.
During times of uncertainty, we often question whether God is with us, and whether He sees what is happening in our lives. I have experienced such moments myself, where I have felt lost and in need of God’s guidance and support. At times, we may feel overwhelmed and stuck, as we try to push past our struggles, but the emotions of life seem to take over. We may fall into a trap of trying too hard to measure up or work hard to ignore our pain, which may lead to anxiety and fear, leaving us feeling stuck and hopeless.
While the reality we face may not change in our favor, I have found that God is still present with us in each moment, giving us peace and the strength to persevere. We can reach out to Him in prayer and ask Him to be with us. As we embark on this new year, I am reminded of Moses, who sought God’s presence to guide him in his journey. In Exodus 33:12-17, we see Moses praying to God to be with him, as well as the Israelites. Despite the challenges he faced, Moses had learned the prayer life that would unlock the peace he needed during uncertain times.
Moses doubted his abilities when God told him that he would be the one to free the Israelites from slavery, and God reminded him that He would be with him. Many other individuals in the Bible prayed for God’s guidance when faced with difficult situations, such as Daniel, who faced persecution from his colleagues. When he learned of the decree against him, he went on his knees to pray, and God saved him.
Now, more than ever, we must seek God’s presence to guide us through these uncertain times. We must trust in His promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us. As we reflect on how far we have come, we can confidently acknowledge that God has been with us through the most challenging of times. If you feel unqualified to step into the calling God has for you, remember that He made you a masterpiece and delights in you as His son or daughter. Despite the challenges of 2020, we can approach His throne with confidence, knowing that He can give us the strength we need for the journey ahead.
Brethren, I invite you to join me in praying for God’s presence to go with us in this new year, for if He does not go with us, we will be shaken when uncertainty strikes. Let us hold onto His promise and trust that He will guide us through the journey ahead, no matter what it may bring.
“Lord Jesus, we know you said that you would stay with me; so, as we enter this new year, we pray that you will go with us by the power of your Spirit.” Amen
Wishing you a year filled with a profound and serene peace that surpasses all understanding. May God be at the very center of your life, guiding you along the way. As the Psalmist did in Psalm 25:4, let us cry out to God to lead us and put our hope in Him. He is our shepherd, guiding us to lush and flourishing pastures. Even as we walk through the valley of uncertainty and despair, He promises to be by our side, lightening our burdens and carrying us through the darkest of times.
